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Texas Lawmakers Study State Food Shortages

AUSTIN (AP) – Texas lawmakers are investigating the causes of food shortages across the state and how to solve them.

The House Human Services and Public Health Committees have asked experts to explain why so many families don’t have enough food and why some communities don’t have grocery stores. Lawmakers on Tuesday will also look into what state government can do to address the problems.

Texas has the second highest rate in the country of people who have trouble getting enough food to eat. In 2010 that was more than 4 million Texans.

Among the solutions the committee will consider are farmer’s markets and community gardens. Lawmakers are also considering applying nutritional standards to state food aid programs.

The committee’s findings will determine what bills lawmakers introduce next year.